Cup guppy and bottle buddy system and method

ABSTRACT

A gripper for beverage containers, the gripper including; an elastomeric ring having; an outer surface; and an inner surface; wherein the outer surface and the inner surface are integral with one another separated by a thickness, the inner surface being configured to grippingly-receive and secure a hand-held beverage container such as a bottle or glass or cup for example.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

This application claims benefit under 35 USC 119 to Canada National Application No. 3,021,375 filed on Oct. 18, 2018, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. The following includes information that may be useful in understanding the present disclosure. It is not an admission that any of the information provided herein is prior art nor material to the presently described or claimed inventions, nor that any publication or document that is specifically or implicitly referenced is prior art.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates generally to the field of receptacles of existing art and more specifically relates to a cup guppy and bottle buddy system.

RELATED ART

Many people drink beverages from bottles and cups. Often bottles and cups may be slippery when held due to condensation which may render them being dropped when slipping from the hand of the drinker. Hot and cold beverages can cause individuals to drop the beverage container. Dropping glass causes waste of the beverage contained therein as well as a mess on the surface which it hits. Further, broken glass can damage surfaces or may cause bodily injury. A suitable solution to promote gripping and insulate from adverse temperature transference is desirable.

U.S. Pub. No. 2008/0078824 to Andrew Raymond Spriege et al., relates to a beverage cup sleeving system and method. The described beverage cup sleeving system and method includes a cup insulating system, comprising a layer of elastomer formed into a homogeneous seamless conical sleeve, the conical sleeve having an exterior surface, an interior surface an upper opening and a lower opening, wherein the upper opening is configured for receiving a beverage cup, and the inner surface of the conical sleeve is configured to contact an outer surface of the beverage cup.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In view of the foregoing disadvantages inherent in the known receptacles art, the present disclosure provides a novel cup guppy and bottle buddy system. The general purpose of the present disclosure, which will be described subsequently in greater detail, is to provide a means to safely and securely hold beverage containers.

A gripper for beverage containers is disclosed herein, the gripper comprising; an elastomeric ring having; an outer surface; and an inner surface; wherein the outer surface and the inner surface are integral with one another separated by a thickness, the inner surface being configured to grippingly-receive and secure a hand-held beverage container such as a bottle or glass or cup for example.

A method of use for the gripper for beverage containers is also disclosed herein, the method comprising the steps of: providing an elastomeric ring having an outer surface; and an inner surface; wherein the outer surface and the inner surface are integral with one another separated by a thickness, the inner surface being configured to grippingly-receive and secure a hand-held beverage container; and slap-manipulating the elastomeric ring about the beverage container such that the elastomeric ring and the beverage container are temporarily grippingly-coupled. The method may further comprise the steps of: holding the beverage container via the elastomeric ring such that heat transfer (heat or cold) is reduced emanating from the beverage container.

For purposes of summarizing the invention, certain aspects, advantages, and novel features of the invention have been described herein. It is to be understood that not necessarily all such advantages may be achieved in accordance with any one particular embodiment of the invention. Thus, the invention may be embodied or carried out in a manner that achieves or optimizes one advantage or group of advantages as taught herein without necessarily achieving other advantages as may be taught or suggested herein. The features of the invention which are believed to be novel are particularly pointed out and distinctly claimed in the concluding portion of the specification. These and other features, aspects, and advantages of the present invention will become better understood with reference to the following drawings and detailed description.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The figures which accompany the written portion of this specification illustrate embodiments and methods of use for the present disclosure, a cup guppy and bottle buddy system (gripper for beverage containers), constructed and operative according to the teachings of the present disclosure.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the cup guppy and bottle buddy system during an ‘in-use’ condition, according to an embodiment of the disclosure.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the cup guppy and bottle buddy system of FIG. 1, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the cup guppy and bottle buddy system of FIG. 1, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the cup guppy and bottle buddy system of FIG. 1, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 5 is a flow diagram illustrating a method of use for the cup guppy and bottle buddy system, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

The various embodiments of the present invention will hereinafter be described in conjunction with the appended drawings, wherein like designations denote like elements.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

As discussed above, embodiments of the present disclosure relate to receptacles and more particularly to a cup guppy and bottle buddy system as used to improve the handling of cups and bottles during use.

Generally, the present invention comprises a slap on silicone wrap for bottles and cups with shape allows it to vit a variety of cups & bottle like vessels with or without taper. The Cup Cuppy and Bottle Buddy (slightly differing shapes) are slap on sleeves that function much like silicone slap bracelets but for bottles, glasses and cups. The shape allows a grip and the material protects hands from heat and cold. In preferred embodiments the device wraps around in the range of ¾ to 1¼ times the circumference of the bottle/cup, just enough to go around the held item and stick in place. Different kid-friendly shapes may be used as an alternative to the fish shape shown in the figures; for examples, other animals, fruits, vegetables or shapes of animated and/or licensed characters may be used. The device features: 1. A shape that allows it to fit a variety of cups, bottles, and glasses. 2. Wraps easily and stays wrapped. 3. Made of silicone 4. Easy to use for the young and old.

Referring now more specifically to the drawings by numerals of reference, there is shown in FIGS. 1-4, various views of a gripper for beverage containers 100.

FIG. 1 shows a gripper for beverage containers 100 during an ‘in-use’ condition 150, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. Here, the gripper for beverage containers 100 may be beneficial for use by a user to promote positive gripping of beverage containers during use. As illustrated, the gripper for beverage containers 100 may include an elastomeric ring 120 having an outer surface 122; and an inner surface 124; wherein the outer surface 122 and the inner surface 124 are integral with one another separated by a thickness 126; the inner surface 124 being configured to grippingly-receive and secure a hand-held beverage container 110 such as a bottle or glass or cup for example.

According to one embodiment, the gripper for beverage containers 100 may be arranged as a kit. In particular, the gripper for beverage containers 100 may further include a set of instructions. The instructions may detail functional relationships in relation to the structure of the gripper for beverage containers 100 such that the gripper for beverage containers 100 can be used, maintained, or the like, in a preferred manner.

Referring now to FIGS. 2-4 showing various views of the gripper for beverage containers 100 of FIG. 1, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

The beverage container 110 for use with the gripper for beverage containers 100 may comprise a bottle with a tapered body; a bottle with a non-tapered body; a cup and alternately a glass with a tapered body; a cup and alternately a glass with a non-tapered body. The present invention can be used with other drinking or beverage containing vessels.

The elastomeric ring 120 preferably has at least one texture present on the inner surface 124 to promote positive-gripping. Some embodiments may have no texture, others may have only one texture and yet others may have multiple textures to promote gripping. The elastomeric ring 120 preferably comprises silicone however, it should be appreciated that other suitably equivalent materials may be used. The elastomeric ring comprises a length from 8 to 12 inches and a width of 1 to 3½ inches in preferred embodiments however other sizes may be used, depending on the size and shape of the cup/bottle to be gripped. The preferred design is that of a fish but other designs (e.g. animals, fruits, vegetables, animated/licensed characters) may be used. In certain embodiments the elastomeric ring 120 comprises a flexible insulator to reduce relative movement of heat transfer.

The elastomeric ring 120 preferably comprises layered, flexible stainless steel bistable spring bands sealed within the silicone; wherein the flexible stainless steel bistable spring bands has two stable mechanical shapes, stabilized by different curvature axes. The elastomeric ring 120 is able to be manipulated between an unrolled tube structure condition and a rolled cylinder condition; wherein the rolled cylinder condition is enabled for use when gripping the beverage container 110. The rolled cylinder condition is enabled via slapping-manipulation. The unrolled tube structure condition is suitable for non-use periods such as in storage.

Referring now to FIG. 5 showing a flow diagram illustrating a method of use 500 for gripper for beverage containers 100, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. In particular, the method of use 500 may include one or more components or features of the gripper for beverage containers 100 as described above. As illustrated, the method of use 500 may include the steps of: step one 501, providing an elastomeric ring having an outer surface; and an inner surface; wherein the outer surface and the inner surface are integral with one another separated by a thickness, the inner surface being configured to grippingly-receive and secure a hand-held beverage container; step two 502, slap-manipulating the elastomeric ring about the beverage container such that the elastomeric ring and the beverage container are temporarily grippingly-coupled; step three 503, holding the beverage container via the elastomeric ring such that heat transfer (heat or cold) is reduced emanating from the beverage container.

It should be noted that step 503 is an optional step and may not be implemented in all cases. Optional steps of method of use 500 are illustrated using dotted lines in FIG. 5 so as to distinguish them from the other steps of method of use 500. It should also be noted that the steps described in the method of use can be carried out in many different orders according to user preference. The use of “step of” should not be interpreted as “step for”, in the claims herein and is not intended to invoke the provisions of 35 U.S.C. § 112(f). It should also be noted that, under appropriate circumstances, considering such issues as design preference, user preferences, marketing preferences, cost, structural requirements, available materials, technological advances, etc., other methods for gripping and insulating are taught herein.

The embodiments of the invention described herein are exemplary and numerous modifications, variations and rearrangements can be readily envisioned to achieve substantially equivalent results, all of which are intended to be embraced within the spirit and scope of the invention. Further, the purpose of the foregoing abstract is to enable the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office and the public generally, and especially the scientist, engineers and practitioners in the art who are not familiar with patent or legal terms or phraseology, to determine quickly from a cursory inspection the nature and essence of the technical disclosure of the application. 

What is claimed is new and desired to be protected by Letters Patent is set forth in the appended claims:
 1. A gripper for beverage containers, the gripper comprising; an elastomeric ring having; an outer surface; and an inner surface; wherein said outer surface and said inner surface are integral with one another separated by a thickness, said inner surface being configured to grippingly-receive and secure a hand-held beverage container.
 2. The gripper for beverage containers of claim 1, wherein said beverage container comprises a bottle with a tapered body.
 3. The gripper for beverage containers of claim 1, wherein said beverage container comprises a bottle with a non-tapered body.
 4. The gripper for beverage containers of claim 1, wherein said beverage container comprises a cup and alternately a glass with a tapered body.
 5. The gripper for beverage containers of claim 1, wherein said beverage container comprises a cup and alternately a glass with a non-tapered body.
 6. The gripper for beverage containers of claim 1, wherein the elastomeric ring has a texture present on said inner surface to promote positive-gripping.
 7. The gripper for beverage containers of claim 1, wherein the elastomeric ring comprises silicone.
 8. The gripper for beverage containers of claim 7, wherein the elastomeric ring comprises a length of eight to twelve inches and a width of one to three and one-half inches.
 9. The gripper for beverage containers of claim 1, wherein the elastomeric ring comprises a shape selected from one of: an animal, a fruit, a vegetable and a animated character.
 10. The gripper for beverage containers of claim 7, wherein the elastomeric ring comprises a flexible insulator to reduce movement of heat transfer.
 11. The gripper for beverage containers of claim 10, wherein the elastomeric ring comprises layered, flexible stainless steel bistable spring bands sealed within said silicone.
 12. The gripper for beverage containers of claim 11, wherein the flexible stainless steel bistable spring bands has two stable mechanical shapes, stabilized by different curvature axes.
 13. The gripper for beverage containers of claim 12, wherein the elastomeric ring is able to be manipulated between an unrolled tube structure condition and a rolled cylinder condition.
 14. The gripper for beverage containers of claim 13, wherein the rolled cylinder condition is enabled for use when gripping said beverage container.
 15. The gripper for beverage containers of claim 13, wherein the unrolled tube structure condition is suitable for non-use periods.
 16. The gripper for beverage containers of claim 1, wherein the rolled cylinder condition is enabled via slapping-manipulation.
 17. A gripper for beverage containers, the gripper comprising; an elastomeric ring having; an outer surface; and an inner surface; wherein said outer surface and said inner surface are integral with one another separated by a thickness, said inner surface being configured to grippingly-receive and secure a hand-held beverage container during use; wherein said beverage container comprises a body to be coupled thereto; wherein the elastomeric ring comprises silicone; wherein the elastomeric ring comprises a length of eight to twelves inches; wherein the elastomeric ring comprises a width of one to three and one-half inches; wherein the elastomeric ring comprises a flexible insulator to reduce movement of heat transfer; wherein the elastomeric ring comprises layered, flexible stainless steel bistable spring bands sealed within said silicone; wherein the flexible stainless steel bistable spring bands has two stable mechanical shapes, stabilized by different curvature axes; wherein the elastomeric ring is able to be manipulated between an unrolled tube structure condition and a rolled cylinder condition; wherein the rolled cylinder condition is enabled for use when gripping said beverage container; wherein the unrolled tube structure condition is suitable for non-use periods; and wherein the rolled cylinder condition is enabled via slapping-manipulation.
 18. The gripper for beverage containers of claim 17, further comprising set of instructions; and wherein the gripper for beverage containers is arranged as a kit.
 19. A method of use for the gripper for beverage containers, the method comprising the steps of: providing an elastomeric ring having; an outer surface; and an inner surface; wherein said outer surface and said inner surface are integral with one another separated by a thickness, said inner surface being configured to grippingly-receive and secure a hand-held beverage container; and slap-manipulating said elastomeric ring about said beverage container such that said elastomeric ring and said beverage container are temporarily grippingly-coupled.
 20. The method of claim 19, further comprising the steps of: holding said beverage container via said elastomeric ring such that heat transfer is reduced emanating from said beverage container. 